Dieter Ramseier: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018 |
| Name | Dr. Dieter Ramseier |
| ramseier@retired.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Lecturer |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 551-1703-00L | Ecology of Anthropogenic Habitats | 2 credits | 1V | D. Ramseier | |
| Abstract | The focus will be on agro-ecology and ecology of urban habitats. Both experience frequent disturbances, specific chemical influences, and extreme climatic conditions. Additionally, in urban habitats edaphic conditions are difficult as well. Turnover of species diversity and composition are higher, both locally and temporary, compared to natural conditions at comparable sites. | ||||
| Learning objective | Knowledge of agro-ecosystems and urban ecosystems; their origin, ecosystem services, mechanisms and importance for the maintenance of biodiversity. | ||||
| 701-0320-00L | Seminar for Bachelor Students: Environmental Biology  | 3 credits | 2S | D. Ramseier | |
| Abstract | In the seminar, students explore a specific topic in environmental biology (ecology, evolution, health). They find and read scientific articles, structure contents around core questions, talk to specialists about them, prepare a scientific presentation and lead a discussion. They are introduced to literature search and scientific presentations. | ||||
| Learning objective | Students will acquire skills in: - finding literature in scientific databases - structuring a scientific topic through research questions - giving a clear scientific presentation - contributing constructively to a scientific discussion | ||||
| Content | Week 1: Choice of topics and tutors Week 2 & 3: Literature search Week 4: course for presentation techniques Weeks 1 - 7: Meetings with tutors, preparation of presentations Weeks 8 - 14: Presentations and discussions | ||||
| Lecture notes | Will be handed out during classes | ||||
| 701-1441-00L | Alpine Ecology and Environments  | 2 credits | 2G | S. Dietz, D. Ramseier | |
| Abstract | The online course ALPECOLe provides a global overview of the complex ecosystems of mountain regions, and of their great diversity of habitats and organisms. The course is interdisciplinary and the various approaches are designed to help understand the past, present and future of mountain ecosystems. | ||||
| Learning objective | Knowledge of alpine environments worldwide and their ecology | ||||
| Content | The online course is subdivided into - 5 lessons on abiotic factors: geology, soils and their forming processes, climate, and disturbance factors - 12 lessons on plants: diversity, patterns and processes, treelines, water & nutrients, carbon cycle, atmospheric influences, sexual and clonal reproduction, and one specific lesson on aquatic environments - 5 lessons on animals: habitats and adaptations, origin of species, food ecology and impact of domestic livestock - 3 lessons on landscape evolution: quarternary paleoenvironments, methods like radiocarbon dating, pollen records, dendrochronology, stable isotopes, and historical data - 1 lesson on global change Students can also follow a virtual walk through alpine areas where context-based information on alpine environments can be accessed. Moreover, all mayor alpine areas of the world can be selected on a map and then informative pictures of those landscapes and faunistic and floristic inhabitants will be shown. Online exercises and tests allow to test the learned matter. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Online course and seminar Students prepare for the seminar by working through particular lessons. Each student has to present some special aspects of one lesson. The seminar contribution is part of the performance assessment. Course language is English | ||||